United Nations in Afghanistan

The Sustainable Development Goals are a global call to action to end poverty, protect the earth’s environment and climate, and ensure that people everywhere can enjoy peace and prosperity. These are the goals the UN is working on in Afghanistan:

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Press Release

15 July 2024

IsDB and FAO Join Hands to Rehabilitate Irrigation Systems and Improve Rural Livelihoods in Eastern Afghanistan

Jeddah/Rome. - A targeted grant from the Afghanistan Humanitarian Trust Fund (AHTF) will provide key support to communities in eastern Afghanistan, through the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), improving food security by rehabilitating climate-resilient irrigation structures to boost wheat production and establish fisheries.The USD 3 million contribution is provided by the Saudi Fund for Development through the AHTF, which is established by the Organization of Islamic Cooperation and managed by the Islamic Development Bank, to support the people of Afghanistan.The amount, mostly spent on hard infrastructure, will be matched by FAO, making a total of USD 6.18 million available over the next two years for emergency and resilience activities in the eastern provinces of Laghman and Kunar. The matching funding by FAO will be used to stock and operate the fisheries, and to distribute wheat seeds and other crucial inputs, besides providing training.A main focus of the project is to restore three historical water canals in Eastern Afghanistan that date back to the last century and have presently lost much of their effectiveness.The project will rehabilitate 21km of canals in Nahr-e Karim, in Qarghayee district of Laghman, an area which provides many of the vegetables consumed in Kabul, as well as the Upper and Lower Sarkano canals in Kunar province, together about 18km.The canals were dug last century with pickaxes and shovels. Increasingly frequent flash floods have caused sedimentation and damage to canal intake, canal banks and side structures (canal outlets, cross-drainage structures etc.).Both canal systems currently service hundreds of hectares less than they were designed to and are susceptible to rapid further deterioration. Given the effects of climate change (longer dry and hot periods alternating with flash floods) it is urgent to rehabilitate these irrigation systems in densely populated areas.Funded by the IsDB-managed AHTF, these activities build both on FAO’s technical expertise in the field of Water Resources and Irrigation (WRI), and on FAO’s large-scale program to provide emergency relief to Afghan farmers.This timely funding by AHTF through the Islamic Development Bank and contributed by SFD will support communities in two of eastern Afghanistan’s key agricultural production areas. This support will not only address the populations’ immediate food security needs, but also take a holistic approach to solving the water problems which affect the area, laying the groundwork for more durable solutions and lasting improvements for food security and nutrition.With the help of local construction companies working under the supervision of FAO’s engineers, FAO will repair the canals to ensure irrigation to over 2 100 ha, benefiting around 10 500 households, at least 70 000 people.Of this group, 8 000 households will be directly supported with a wheat cultivation package, allowing them to grow enough wheat during at least three years to meet their family’s annual wheat requirements. Working in close collaboration with local communities, eight locations will be selected to establish fish farms. When operational, each fish farm is expected to produce 1.5 metric tons of fish per year, which at current prices is worth USD 6,000 – 7,000 on the market. The salary of a teacher, in comparison, is about USD 150 per month. Fish consumption will also improve nutrition within target communities.FAO engineers, hydrologists and technical specialists bring decades of experience in improving the collection and distribution of surface waters, critical skills in a drought-prone region such as Afghanistan.The project will draw on locally tested solutions, such as those pioneered by Dr. Tetsu Nakamura in Nangarhar, who brought 25 000 ha of land under cultivation by adapting old Japanese irrigation techniques to the culture and geography of the Eastern Region. FAO’s emergency relief program has reached 16 million people since it began in 2021, about half of Afghanistan’s rural population. It is designed to make farmers and rural communities self-sufficient, transitioning out of emergency assistance towards sustainable development by providing inputs and training. The improvements in Afghan food security have been noticeable: while 55% of the Afghan population was deemed to be in acute or emergency food insecurity in late 2021, by May 2024 that percentage had halved to 27% - despite the ongoing drought and economic crisis caused by the withdrawal of the international community after the Taliban takeover in August 2021., filtered_html

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Publication

18 April 2024

2023 UN Afghanistan Annual Results Report

The year 2023 has been one of tremendous challenges but also one of resilience and determination. In the face of adversity and multiple concurrent shocks, the people of Afghanistan have demonstrated remarkable courage and strength. This annual report serves as a testament to our ongoing commitment to the people of Afghanistan and our unwavering support for their journey towards peace, stability, and prosperity. It also reflects the tireless efforts of the United Nations and its partners to address the complex and multifaceted challenges facing the country. Due to the international assistance community’s concerted efforts, levels of support to Afghanistan remained significant. With our partners, we remained engaged despite unprecedented impediments that have shaken our core values and beliefs. In 2023, we continued to grapple with the challenges of upholding our core principles and values and simultaneously delivering on the imperative to assist people in need. The tremendous efforts and tenacity of all partners involved have shown the incredible creativity and perseverance of assistance partners who were determined not to leave the Afghan people alone. I am proud to be a representative of this extraordinary community. Afghans now mention access to food as their most pressing need. Unable to pay for or produce basic sustenance, millions face hunger and malnutrition. In 2024, an estimated 15.8 million people will experience crisis and emergency levels of food insecurity. The majority of the population is unable to procure basic needs such as healthcare, food, livelihoods, and housing. A Gallup poll found that 95 per cent of the population consider themselves to be suffering. Average life expectancy has been falling for the past five years. The Herat earthquakes and unprecedented large-scale returns from neighbouring countries have shown the disruptive impact of recurrent shocks and underscored the need for sustained international engagement and support. As we embark on the next chapter, in 2024, it is imperative that we remain steadfast in our commitment to the principles of human rights, gender equality, and women’s empowerment. We will continue to include women as key partners in our work, to provide assistance “by women, for women”, and to tirelessly work for equal access to education in line with the demands we hear from Afghans in all areas of the country. I would like to express my gratitude to the United Nations agencies, our partners from the International Financial Institutions such as the World Bank, the Asian Development Bank (ADB), the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB), bilateral and multilateral donors and assistance partners, non-governmental organizations, and all those who continue to support the people of Afghanistan. I further express my deep gratitude to our Afghan partners, especially the Afghan women, who remind us daily of our responsibility to assist and empower them as they lead the course for a better future for themselves and their children. Your dedication and perseverance inspire us all. Indrika Ratwatte Deputy Special Representative of the Secretary-General, Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator , filtered_html

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Publication

20 February 2024

Herat Earthquakes 2023 Post-Disaster Needs Assessment

The United Nations – together with the World Bank, the European Union, and the Asian Development Bank - has released a comprehensive Post-Disaster Needs Assessment (PDNA) report for Afghanistan's Herat Province, hit by devastating earthquakes in October 2023. The report highlights the scale of the disaster: direct physical damage up to US$ 217 million and losses reaching US$ 78.9 million. The assessment underscores an urgent need for US$ 402.9 million to support the critical recovery and reconstruction efforts in the province. Besides assessing damage, losses, and recovery and reconstruction needs, the assessment evaluates broader macro-economic and human impacts and proposes principles for a comprehensive recovery and reconstruction framework. It cautions about persistent widespread poverty, slow economic recovery, job scarcity, banking sector instability, adverse impact on mental health and wellbeing, and climate vulnerability, exacerbating Afghanistan's ongoing economic challenges. The PDNA emphasizes the critical need to transition from immediate humanitarian aid to long-term recovery. Recovery strategies should prioritize building community resilience, service restoration, earthquake-safe housing, livelihoods options, social protection, and access to basic services, especially for the most affected families. The PDNA supports principles of building back better, emphasising women's empowerment and reducing disaster risks and enhancing climate resilience. This first-of-its-kind, multi-partner joint assessment since August 2021 showcases an international resolve to address the needs of disaster-affected communities and support their recovery. The assessment – launched in October 2023 – relied on field data, publicly available information, and remote sensing analytics. , filtered_html

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Publication

02 July 2023

United Nations Strategic Framework for Afghanistan

The past several years have been extremely challenging for the people of Afghanistan. Already suffering from decades of conflict and instability, Afghanistan’s human rights, governance, humanitarian, and development situations deteriorated sharply after the Taliban takeover in August 2021. This transition impacted not only the political and security situations but also had particularly severe implications for human rights, gender equality, and women’s empowerment. The country’s economy contracted by about 30 per cent between 2020 and 2022. With 24.4 million people in need of humanitarian assistance and more than 9 in 10 living in poverty, the country is in the midst of a crisis on an unprecedented scale. The United Nations and its partners recognize that humanitarian aid alone will not be enough to sustainably address the large-scale and increasing human suffering of the Afghan people in the medium and long term. As such, humanitarian efforts should be complemented and reinforced with interventions addressing basic human needs that aim to reduce the humanitarian caseload over time and support Afghans, particularly women, girls, and other vulnerable groups, to a) build resilience to shocks, b) sustain livelihoods, c) protect human rights and fundamental freedoms, d) strengthen social cohesion and build social capital, and e) preserve hard-won development gains achieved over the past two decades, including with regard to service delivery. This approach is also important for the identification and achievement of durable solutions to displacement caused by conflict, climate change, and sudden onset natural disasters. In close consultations with our Member States, partners, and stakeholders, the United Nations Country Team (UNCT) has identified three complementary and mutually reinforcing joint priorities as it supports the basic human needs of the Afghan people. Priority 1: Sustained Essential Services Priority 2: Economic Opportunities and Resilient Livelihoods Priority 3: Social Cohesion, Inclusion, Gender Equality, Human Rights, and Rule of Law With the Humanitarian Country Team, the UNCT has also agreed on two collective outcomes: to 1) reduce food insecurity and 2) reduce maternal and child mortality rates. Partners across the humanitarian-development-peace nexus have agreed to work together toward these outcomes. The United Nations Strategic Framework for Afghanistan articulates the UN’s approach to addressing basic human needs in Afghanistan. Anchored in the principle of leaving no one behind, the UN Strategic Framework prioritizes the needs and rights of those most vulnerable and marginalized, including women and girls, children and youth, internally displaced persons, returnees, refugees, ethnic and religious minorities, geographically isolated communities, sexual and gender minorities, the Kuchi community, persons with disabilities, human rights defenders, people who use drugs, and people living with and affected by HIV. This Strategic Framework is an offer of assistance to the people of Afghanistan. Whether the UN can implement this framework depends in part on external factors, most notably on actions by the de facto authorities and on donor support. The UN expects to be deeply engaged in maintaining and expanding the access and operational space necessary for implementation. , filtered_html

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Story

01 June 2025

Afghanistan’s largest animal vaccination campaign against Peste des Petits Ruminants

In the hills of Laghman province, Anwar tends to his small herd of goats. Like many livestock owners in Afghanistan, he depends on them but keeping them healthy has become harder in recent years. “When my animals are safe, I can feed my family and send my children to school,” he said. For farmers like Anwar, livestock are more than just animals. Sheep and goats are the backbone of daily life in rural Afghanistan, providing nutritious milk, meat and income; and in tough times, they are often a family’s only safety net. But when animals fall sick, the effects ripple quickly through homes and communities.A serious threat to these small animals in Afghanistan is Peste des Petits Ruminants (PPR), a fast-spreading viral disease that causes high mortality, weight loss, reduced fertility and sharp drops in milk production. First detected in Afghanistan in 1996, PPR continues to pose a significant risk to livestock owners, especially for women, who often manage livestock and depend on them to support their families.Years of drought, flash floods, extreme cold and the collapse of veterinary services have left Afghanistan’s herders increasingly vulnerable. Access to feed, water and animal care remains limited and diseases like PPR only deepen the strain on already fragile systems.In response, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), with funding from the Asian Development Bank, led the largest PPR vaccination campaign ever conducted in Afghanistan. From November 2024 to May 2025, teams vaccinated nearly four million sheep and two million goats across all 34 provinces — reaching over 868 000 families and benefiting upwards of six million people. The campaign concluded just ahead of Eid al-Adha, when healthy livestock are particularly important. The success of the campaign was rooted in strong collaboration. Working alongside the Afghanistan Veterinary Association, local authorities, and over 1 000 private Veterinary Field Units, FAO helped to train veterinary workers, supplied tools and equipment and coordinated outreach across the country. Technicians managed a nationwide cold chain system to keep vaccines effective, and mobile veterinary teams traveled to remote and nomadic communities to ensure no farmer was left behind. Over 500 000 families received brochures that outline PPR prevention and basic livestock care information. “Last year, a herder here lost almost all of his flock to PPR," recounted Dr. Nisar Ahmad, a field veterinarian in Laghman. "This year, however, there have been no outbreaks where we vaccinated animals.”The vaccination campaign is estimated to have averted approximately USD 296 million in potential losses. It also contributes to broader efforts to protect the country’s 42 million livestock — including 13.8 million sheep, 7.6 million goats and 4.6 million cattle — a vital asset base for food production and rural economy.By controlling PPR within Afghanistan, this intervention also helps to prevent the disease from spreading beyond its borders, reducing the risk of regional outbreaks and the disruption they can cause to food systems, trade and livelihoods across borders.When animals stay healthy, people stay fed. In communities where livestock is a key source of food and income, an outbreak like PPR can quickly lead to empty plates and lost livelihoods. Targeted campaigns like this don’t just protect animals, they help families like Anwar’s get through the year and keep their children nourished, while preventing outbreaks that could spiral into crises. Stronger herds contribute to a healthier environment, reinforcing the critical link between animal, human and ecosystem health. Keeping livestock healthy is one of the most practical—and cost-effective— ways to support food security in Afghanistan. And for families who depend on their animals every single day, it’s one of the most urgent. From animal health services to irrigation rehabilitation to delivery of farming inputs, targeted and timely agricultural investments have helped farmers protect their livelihoods and keep food on the table. The gains made in reducing food insecurity across Afghanistan in recent years reflect what is possible when rural communities are equipped with the right support at the right time. Building on this progress will require sustained investment in the agriculture sector, and a clear recognition that rural families are key to a more food-secure Afghanistan., filtered_html

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29 May 2025

Shelters of Hope: Supporting adequate and dignified housing solutions in Afghanistan

Dasht-e Barchi, a neighborhood in Kabul, hosts one of the city’s largest informal settlements—home to thousands of families living in fragile shelters, many in inadequate housing conditions, such as Khawar, a 66-year-old grandmother who is the head of a household of 12 people. For Khawar, life has never been easy nor merciful. After losing her husband in 2015, things took a turn for the worse for her —her daughter developed psychological disorders, and her son is unable to find work – making live a constant struggle to make ends meet.Despite these hardships, Khawar had one enduring wish. “I only wished for a safe and secure roof over my head,” she told UN-Habitat's community mobilisers. Pointing to her fragile shelter, she adds, “I was living in a life-or-death situation, always afraid the roof would tumble down on us.” “I was hopeless,” Khawar says. “Every winter, the roof leaked. We placed bottles to collect the dripping water, but my grandchildren still got sick.” Over the past three years, Khawar’s home became more and more dangerous. “I was afraid the roof would collapse on my grandchildren,” she explains. Despite her efforts to repair and stabilize the shelter with what little she had, it was never enough – while she refused to give up hope. With support from the Afghanistan Humanitarian Fund, UN-Habitat launched “The Shelter Initiative” for people most at risk of natural disasters, displacement, and climate shocks. And Khawar’s family was one of 645 vulnerable households selected for shelter support in 2024.Afghanistan is currently witnessing a large influx of returnees forcibly expelled from neighboring countries such as Iran and Pakistan. Since 2023, over 3.4 million Afghans have returned home, with many more expected in the months to come . Many of them are looking for opportunities – in cities and, due to their socio-economic situation, are settling in already densely populated, often unplanned, underserviced and informal neighborhoods. The integration of additional populations puts enormous pressure on already overstretched services. But even with limited funding, targeted support like shelter repair is transforming lives—just like it did for Khawar.Through UN-Habitat’s shelter initiative, Khawar’s house—along many others—has been repaired and rebuilt – giving families in vulnerable situations a roof, a home and hope.She adds, “I never had such a home—neither in my father’s house nor in my husband’s. But now, at 66, my wish has come true. I live with my grandchildren in a safe shelter. Thanks to the Afghanistan Humanitarian Fund and UN-Habitat.”Alina, Khawar’s 9-year-old granddaughter, adds: “Every night, I used to worry that parts of the roof would fall on us while we were sleeping. But now we feel safe—from the rain, the snow, and we no longer have fear.” While the new shelter has brought Khawar and her family some stability, many challenges remain in place. Still, she hopes this home could mark the beginning of a longer journey towards improved life.Since 2022, UN-Habitat has repaired or built over 6,883 shelters across Afghanistan—directly helping more than 50,000 people, with women and girls being the major group.Stephanie Loose, UN-Habitat Afghanistan Country Programme Manager, underlines the importance of the agency’s impact and approaches: “Adequate shelter is a human right—not a privilege. Yet, thousands of Afghans live in inadequate housing with minimal access to basic services.” She adds, “The absence or inadequacy of shelter and proper housing solutions is a major issue in Afghanistan. People continue to endure enormous mental and physical pressures. We must do more all together to address these pressing needs – to enable people to live a dignified and self-sufficient life. It all starts with a home.”Since 1992, UN-Habitat has been a lead housing agency in the country, delivering large programs across Afghanistan. Building on three decades of success, UN-Habitat remains committed to continuing to support Afghan communities by all means., filtered_html

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26 May 2025

Turning community awareness into action in Afghanistan’s Baghlan Province

Baghlan, Afghanistan – Over the past 2 weeks, local health workers in Baghlan Province have been walking through the streets, knocking on doors, speaking in mosques, visiting schools and gathering with people in markets and homes. Their goal – to help their communities protect themselves from potentially fatal diseases like Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever (CCHF), measles, acute watery diarrhoea and respiratory infections.The 30 trained social mobilizers – half of them women – who have taken to the streets of Baghlan to spread lifesaving health information as part of an awareness campaign launched by WHO are not outsiders. They are doctors, nurses, midwives and health workers from the same communities they serve. That is why people trust them.“Community mobilizers were trained not just on the diseases but on how to engage with people in ways that build trust,” says WHO’s Risk Communication and Community Engagement (RCCE) Officer in Afghanistan Mohammad Modaser Islami. “We want communities to feel involved and empowered.” In Pul-e-Khumri, the heart of the Province, one of the mobilizers chatted with a local butcher, a group especially at risk of catching CCHF.“He listened carefully as I explained how the disease spreads and how he can protect himself,” said the mobilizer. “It wasn’t just about handing him a leaflet. It was about making sure he truly understood.” At the nearby Women’s Handicrafts Centre, mobilizer Nazdana Hakimi led an awareness session.“We used simple language, spoke their dialect and made sure every woman left with knowledge she could take back to her family,” said Nazdana. “And we don’t just talk. We listen too.” Livestock markets, where animals and people come into close contact, are high-risk zones for diseases like CCHF. Haroon Samim, one of the male mobilizers, visited such a market in Baghlan-e-Jadid district.“As Eid-ul-Adha gets closer, animal trade increases and so does the risk of disease. I’m proud we are warning people in time. It can save lives,” he said. Mosques played a key role in the campaign. After Friday prayers in Pul-e-Khumri, mobilizer Samsoor Mohammadi stood before a crowd of men – fathers, grandfathers and youth – to deliver his important message.“This is a place where people listen,” he said. “And when they leave, they take the message with them.” Schools were another important venue for the campaign. At one school, dozens of students gathered outside in the sun to listen to a young mobilizer, Raofullah Safi. “These students will go home and talk to their families. That’s how awareness spreads,” said Raofullah. In a small village, a group of women sat close together as female mobilizer Mursal Saeed spoke to them. “When women understand they protect their children, their husbands and even their neighbours,” said Mursal. “They become health champions.” WHO Representative in Afghanistan Dr Edwin Ceniza Salvador reflected on the campaign’s impact.“Health does not only happen in clinics and hospitals. It happens in homes, schools and markets. What we saw in Baghlan is the power of people helping each other. When communities are trusted, respected and included they become the strongest part of the health system. I am proud of our team and grateful to the people of Baghlan for showing us what true community leadership looks like.”WHO Afghanistan extends its thanks to the Afghanistan Humanitarian Fund for its generous support which helped us reach the most at-risk communities with lifesaving health services and information. Together with our donors and partners, we are building healthier and stronger communities, one conversation at a time. For more information, please contact:Mariam Amiry, RCCE Officer WHO – Kabul, Afghanistan, amirym@who.int , filtered_html

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21 May 2025

Afghanistan: ensuring access to essential emergency services for returnees at Islam Qala crossing

Kabul, Afghanistan – From 1 to 30 April, more than 250 000 Afghans returned from Pakistan and the Islamic Republic of Iran, including about 107 000 deportees.A crisis is unfolding at both major borders. Arriving returnees are exhausted, scared and traumatized as they face an uncertain future in a country where 22.9 million people depend on humanitarian assistance to meet their basic needs. Many suffer health problems, compounded by high levels of poverty and food insecurity and a lack of protection coverage. Commonly reported health issues among returnees include trauma, malnutrition, infectious diseases such as acute watery diarrhoea and acute respiratory infections, and mental health problems.Together with other humanitarian partners, the WHO-supported Public Health (PH) team at Islam Qala crossing on the Iranian border has been providing vital health care to returnees. In April, approximately 4500 people received PH team outpatient consultations, with around 1400 receiving free medicines. The PH team also provided health education to about 26 000 people. In the same month, a WHO-supported surveillance support team (SST) in Islam Qala screened around 105 000 returnees and regular passengers. SST screening includes temperature checks, identification of symptoms of communicable diseases and the referral of suspected COVID-19 and other infectious disease cases. Six male and female vaccinators are deployed in Islam Qala to provide oral polio and inactivated polio vaccines.“Our team members treat patients with minor trauma and provide outpatient services and health education to returnees,” said Dr Noor Ahmad Mohammadi, head of the WHO-supported Public Health Clinic in Islam Qala Reception Centre. “On average, around 200 people visit our clinic each day for health care services and medicines.”The Centre serves as the first point of contact for returnees with urgent health issues.“I was feeling very dizzy and thirsty. I almost fainted on the way. My friends immediately took me to the clinic in the Reception Centre. The doctors checked my blood pressure and assured me that everything will be okay. They did some blood tests and gave me medicine,” said returnee Mohammad Reza.“The staff were very welcoming. I am very grateful to them and to those who support the Centre.” “Without timely support, the continuity of these lifesaving services is at risk, especially with the surge in returnee arrivals anticipated in the coming months,” said WHO Representative and Head of Mission in Afghanistan Dr Edwin Ceniza Salvador.“Amid severe funding cuts, additional international assistance is needed to provide much-needed health care services and specialized support to women and children at risk.”, filtered_html

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20 May 2025

Afghanistan: WHO and partners provide vital health care services to returnees in Torkham

Kabul, Afghanistan – The continued influx of returnees from neighbouring countries is exacerbating existing public health issues in Afghanistan at a time when the country faces a complex array of challenges, including widespread population displacement, drought, food insecurity, multiple disease outbreaks and the lingering impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.Over 100 000 Afghans were forced to return from Pakistan in April, most of them women and children. Returnees’ urgent needs include water, food, medical support and protection coverage. Returnees experience a wide range of health and psychological problems, including acute respiratory infections, acute watery diarrhoea, malnutrition, skin diseases, trauma and mental health problems.WHO and its partners are providing vital health care services to returnees at the Torkham crossing. The Organization is supporting the Torkham Trauma Centre and 20-bed Hospital. It has deployed 3 mobile health teams to provide 24-hour health care services and 2 surveillance support teams in Torkham. In addition, 2 Public Health Team screening teams and 72 vaccinators, including 14 females, have been assigned to Zero Point, the line where Pakistan becomes Afghanistan, and 10 female vaccinators to the Torkham returnee camp to provide OPV/IPV vaccines. “The 20-bed hospital in Torkham, supported by WHO, is an advanced health care facility with a fully equipped operation room providing trauma, emergency and maternal care for returnees,” said Dr Hijratullah Mohmand, Director of the WHO-supported Torkham Trauma Centre and 20-bed Hospital. During April, 5617 patients received health care services in the hospital, with almost 5500 receiving free medications. More than 4300 also received health education at the facility."My pregnant wife started feeling severe pain as we crossed Torkham so we took her to the emergency hospital. She received urgent care from specialist doctors and her condition stabilized," said Ahmed Zia, a returnee from Pakistan. “If it weren't for the hospital's services, we would have lost my wife and her baby. I had nowhere else to go at the time, but the hospital saved my family. I am so grateful to the hospital and its staff.” Without timely support and the provision of lifesaving health care services returnees will face increasing risks, including disease outbreaks and a lack of access to essential emergency care and mental health support. “With the available resources at hand, WHO is prioritizing provision of needed health care services for returnees at points of entry as well as in areas of return to reduce the risks of a greater health crisis and protect the health of the community, especially women and children,” said WHO Afghanistan Health Emergencies Programme Team Lead Dr Jamshed Tanoli. “Additional funding is desperately needed to maintain essential health services and medical supplies, including trauma and reproductive health kits, and to strengthen disease surveillance and outbreak response capacity at key border points and in areas of return.” , filtered_html

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Press Release

26 June 2025

INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY MUST ACT NOW: 1 MILLION RETURNING AFGHANS IN 2025

KABUL, 26 June 2025 - Afghanistan is facing a deepening humanitarian crisis as over one million Afghans have returned this year to a country already strained by climate shocks and limited basic services. The United Nations warns that current humanitarian assistance reaches only a fraction of those in need.“Every returnee deserves safety and dignity. But without urgent support, we risk seeing families slide deeper into poverty and despair,” said United Nations Deputy Special Representative of the Secretary-General in Afghanistan, Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator, Mr. Indrika Ratwatte. “The window to prevent a full-scale humanitarian disaster is closing fast. Immediate and substantial funding is critical to ensure sustainable reintegration and prevent renewed displacement through dangerous migration routes—developments that could destabilize the region.”, he warned.Afghanistan remains one of the world’s most complex humanitarian environments—a fragile, post-conflict nation grappling with intersecting crises: climate change, mass displacement, and entrenched poverty. For decades, it has served simultaneously as a country of origin, transit, and refuge.Now, return flows from Pakistan and Iran—traditional host countries for Afghan refugees—are overwhelming available resources. Most returnees arrive with no assets, limited access to services, and no job prospects, increasing the risk of further instability.In 2024, with the support of the international community, the United Nations and partners provided US$183 million in medium-term support, including housing, livelihoods, job creation, and essential services, reaching over 3 million returnees and host communities, which contributed to creating social cohesion and local stabilization. Additionally, humanitarian partners assisted over 460,000 returnees – from Pakistan and Iran – with emergency assistance. Unfortunately, due to global funding shortfalls, this support has been significantly scaled down in 2025.“These returnees are going back to communities already under strain,” said Ratwatte. “If we cannot support their reintegration, we risk triggering a renewed cycle of out-migration.”Afghanistan’s displacement crisis remains acute in 2025. Over seven million Afghans continue to live abroad, primarily in Pakistan and Iran. So far this year, more than 282,000 Afghans have returned from Pakistan—22% are adult women and 57% are children, many of whom are visiting their ancestral homeland for the first time. Women head 17% of returning households from Pakistan.From Iran, over 605,000 Afghans have returned in the last 6 months. 66% are adult men, 24% are children (sex-disaggregated data unavailable), and 10% are adult women.Data shows that nearly 80% of returnees from Iran had left Afghanistan in search of better economic opportunities, while most returnees from Pakistan had fled past violence, conflict, or persecution.“After decades in exile, Afghans are once again being uprooted, many arrive with nothing, to a homeland they barely know” said Arafat Jamal, UNHCR Representative in Afghanistan. “We urgently call on the international community to respond—not just with emergency aid, but with long-term support. Sustainable reintegration is essential to end the cycle of instability. The time for joint action is now.”, stressed UNHCR Representative.Further compounding the crisis, regional instability—particularly the fallout from the Israel-Iran conflict—and shifting host country policies have accelerated returns, overwhelming Afghanistan’s already fragile humanitarian and development systems.The current scale and pace of returns, especially from Iran, are putting enormous pressure on border services and reintegration systems. “The vast majority of returnees are undocumented. Every day, families arrive with little more than the clothes on their backs, urgently needing shelter, healthcare, and protection. Humanitarian partners are ready to respond, but we need the international community to step up with the funding required to meet this challenge.”, said Mihyung Park, IOM Afghanistan Chief of Mission.Current funding levels remain far below what is needed to meet the scale of these unprecedented returns. The UN emphasizes that timely investment now could be the difference between regional stability and further turmoil.***For more information, please contact:Press contact: spokesperson-unama@un.org, filtered_html

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Press Release

07 May 2025

Afghanistan inaugurates a new oxygen facility at Indira Gandhi Child Health Hospital in Kabul

The new oxygen plant, with a capacity to produce up to 210 oxygen cylinders daily, will provide a reliable and consistent supply of oxygen to the hospital’s 45 ICU-beds as well as supporting nearby health facilities during emergencies.“This oxygen plant is a lifeline. It will ensure that patients, especially the most vulnerable, have the oxygen they need to survive and recover,” said WHO Representative and Head of Mission in Afghanistan Dr Edwin Ceniza Salvador. “WHO is especially grateful for our strong partnership with the EU, whose financial support made this project possible. Together, we are committed to building a stronger, more robust Afghan health system that leaves no one behind.”Oxygen is essential in health care, especially for treating respiratory conditions and providing critical care for vulnerable groups such as newborns, pregnant women and the elderly. With an in-house oxygen system, oxygen can be delivered directly to patients through piping, reducing delays and improving the quality of care. The new plant enhances the hospital’s overall capacity. It reduces dependence on external oxygen suppliers, leading to major cost savings and improved operational efficiency. Most importantly, it will help save lives, prevent avoidable deaths and strengthen the health system’s ability to respond to future health emergencies.To ensure safe and effective operation, WHO will provide ongoing support and training to designated hospital staff, equipping them with the skills needed to manage the plant, which has been designed for minimum maintenance, over the long term. “This oxygen plant is a powerful example of how our partnership is turning commitment into concrete impact,” said Chargée d’Affaires, Delegation of the EU to Afghanistan Veronika Boskovic Pohar. “For every cylinder produced a life can be saved, a newborn can breathe a little easier. The EU stands with the Afghan people, and we are proud to support initiatives that deliver real, lifesaving results where they are needed most.”WHO, with EU financial support, has also provided 4 generators and a pediatric bronchoscopy machine to Indira Gandhi Child Health Hospital. The provision of a reliable backup power source ensures uninterrupted operations and patient safety at a time when there are frequent public power outages in Kabul. The new generators are crucial for life support systems, critical medical equipment and essential hospital functions, while the pediatric bronchoscopy machine will significantly enhance the hospital’s ability to diagnose and treat respiratory conditions in young patients, offering a better chance of recovery.The inauguration of the oxygen plant and the introduction of the generators and pediatric bronchoscopy machine marks a major milestone in improving health care services in Afghanistan, especially in the areas of emergency and maternal and child health. These efforts underscore the value of international cooperation in addressing urgent health needs and building a stronger, healthier future for all.WHO is proud to partner with the EU and expresses its sincere thanks for their generous contribution which played a crucial role in bringing this project to life. Our continued partnership is making a lasting impact on health care and saving lives across Afghanistan. , filtered_html

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Press Release

18 March 2025

Eighty percent of WHO-supported facilities in Afghanistan risk shutdown by June

As of 4 March 2025, 167 health facilities had shut down due to funding shortages, cutting off lifesaving medical care to 1.6 million people across 25 provinces. Without urgent intervention, over 220 more facilities could close by June 2025, leaving an additional 1.8 million Afghans without access to primary health care. In the worst affected regions – Northern, Western and Northeastern Afghanistan – more than a third of health care centres have shut down, raising alarms about an imminent humanitarian crisis."These closures are not just numbers on a report, they represent mothers unable to give birth safely, children missing lifesaving vaccinations, entire communities left without protection from deadly disease outbreaks," said WHO Representative and Head of Mission in Afghanistan Dr Edwin Ceniza Salvador. "The consequences will be measured in lives lost."Afghanistan is already battling multiple health emergencies, including outbreaks of measles, malaria, dengue, polio and Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever. Without functioning health facilities, efforts to control these diseases are severely hindered. Over 16 000 suspected measles cases, including 111 deaths, were reported in the first 2 months of 2025. With immunization rates at critically low levels (only 51% for the first dose of the measles vaccine and 37% for the second), children are at heightened risk of preventable illness and death.[1]Disruptions to WHO-led coordination mechanisms prevent health partners from tracking disease outbreaks, allocating resources and delivering essential services and threaten to push the country’s already fragile health care system deeper into crisis. While some donors continue to support Afghanistan’s health sector, funding has been significantly reduced as development aid priorities have shifted. The needs, however, remain immense, and current support is not enough to sustain critical health care services for millions of Afghans."This is not just about funding. It is a humanitarian emergency that threatens to undo years of progress in strengthening Afghanistan’s health system," said Dr Salvador. "Every day that passes without our collective support brings more suffering, more preventable deaths and lasting damage to the country’s health care infrastructure." # # #For more information, please contact:Ajyal SultanyHead of Communications, WHO Afghanistan- KabulMob.: +93 784812266E-mail: sultanya@who.int
[1] Measles1 and Measles2 figures are reported by MICS survey 2022/2023 (https://www.unicef.org/afghanistan/reports/afghanistan-multiple-indicator-cluster-survey-mics-2022-2023)Suspected measles cases and deaths are reported through DHIS2 (NDSR surveillance system), filtered_html

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Press Release

13 March 2025

IOM and EU Humanitarian Aid Provide Critical Support to Nearly 200,000 Vulnerable Afghans

The EU-funded project, which concluded in December 2024, allowed IOM to provide essential post-arrival humanitarian aid at eight reception and transit centers in Herat, Nimroz, Kandahar, and Nangarhar provinces. Through this project, IOM assisted over 190,500 vulnerable returnees from Pakistan and Iran, offering overnight accommodation, hot meals, cash for transportation and multi-purpose cash assistance, health and psychosocial support, as well as specialized protection assistance.IOM’s rapid and targeted support helped many navigate immediate hardships. “We spent decades building our life in Pakistan, but it all ended overnight when we were forced to return. The challenges were immense,” said Nergiz, a single mother of three who received post-arrival assistance at the IOM reception center in Torkham. “Having a safe place to stay, meals for my children, and medical help made all the difference.”The project also played a crucial role in the emergency response to the Herat earthquakes, deploying psychosocial mobile teams to assist over 7,990 affected people through 15,979 focused individual and group consultations. To strengthen disaster preparedness, the project enabled the prepositioning of emergency shelter and non-food items in 12 warehouses across Afghanistan, ensuring a rapid response during emergencies.“At a time where economic hardship and the increasing impact of climate change are driving communities to the edge, the EU remains a strong, reliable and committed humanitarian partner in Afghanistan. EU Humanitarian Aid has enabled IOM to continue its lifesaving work, reaching hundreds of thousands of Afghans in dire need; whether through post-arrival support for returnees or emergency aid for earthquake survivors,” said François Goemans, Head of the European Union’s humanitarian aid office in Afghanistan.“Now, more than ever, sustained support is critical. Returnees continue to arrive in growing numbers, and frequent disasters further drive humanitarian needs and displacement. To end the negative cycle of irregular and forced migration, we hope to continue our valuable partnership with the European Union and other donors to ensure that assistance reaches those who need it most,” said IOM Afghanistan Chief of Mission Mihyung Park.Afghanistan remains one of the world’s most severe humanitarian crises, with nearly half the population—some 22.9 million people—in urgent need, according to the 2025 Humanitarian Needs and Response Plan. For more information, please contact: Avand Azeez Agha
Media and Communications Officer
Contact: Phone +93 79 410 0542 - Email avhasan@iom.int , filtered_html

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Press Release

05 March 2025

French support keeps UNHAS flying in Afghanistan

The support allowed UNHAS to transport aid workers from UN agencies, non-governmental organizations and other partners as well as essential cargo like food, medical supplies and emergency shelter materials to remote locations across the country.“France is proud to support UNHAS, a crucial lifeline delivering humanitarian aid to the most vulnerable populations in Afghanistan and all over the world,” said H.E. Ms Céline Jurgensen, Ambassador, Permanent Representative of France to the United Nations in Rome.UNHAS currently flies aid workers to 25 destinations across the country, many of them remote and inaccessible. Earlier in 2024, UNHAS also operated an international airbridge connecting Kabul with Doha, Qatar and Dubai, United Arab Emirates, ensuring quick and reliable delivery of humanitarian assistance and safe transport for aid workers to sustain life-saving operations. After commercial airlines started serving these destinations reliably, these destinations were discontinued. UNHAS still flies to Islamabad, Pakistan and Dushanbe, Tajikistan, twice a week.“UNHAS enables humanitarian aid workers to reach and support vulnerable populations in remote, hard-to-access areas while also providing them with peace of mind, knowing that medical evacuations and security relocations are available in critical situations,” said Mutinta Chimuka, WFP’s acting Country Director in Afghanistan. “We are grateful for the generous support from our partners who help WFP keep UNHAS in the air.”The Government of France has been a dedicated supporter of WFP in Afghanistan, contributing nearly US$9 million in 2023 and over US$6.5 million in 2024. This unwavering commitment places France squarely among the top ten donors for WFP in Afghanistan. # # # The United Nations World Food Programme is the world’s largest humanitarian organization, saving lives in emergencies and using food assistance to build a pathway to peace, stability and prosperity for people recovering from conflict, disasters and the impact of climate change, filtered_html

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